Queensland Palestinian Association in conjunction with Justice For Palestine, Brisbane, and Logan City Council are holding Falistini, a mini-exhibition of Palestinian costumes, plaques, handicrafts, maps and books from February 27 to March 31, 2010 at Logan West Library, Grand Plaza Drive, Browns Plains.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Cr Phil Pidgeon, Chairman, Sports Health and Community Services, Logan City Council. The programme included a dance performance by acclaimed Middle-Eastern dancer Amber Hansen, serving of Palestinian savouries and desserts and the screening of Mohammed Alatar’s The Iron Wall.

The entire programme is free and open to the public.

Sameea Essof, a member of the Crescents of Brisbane team, took part in the Leukaemia Foundations Worlds Greatest Shave 2010.

She told CCN: "Unfortunately, I couldn't go purple because it didn't show up on my hair and they were all out of pink, so I went with red, yellow, orange, blue (which don't show up too well in the photos) and glitter all over. It looked really good in the sunlight. The pictures don't do the colours any justice, but it was really fun and my sister had a good laugh. Jazakuallah for all the support and sponsors. Inshallah next year we will be able to raise more."

Good on yer! Sammi!

If you would still like to sponsor Sameea, click here.

 
A delegation of young Indonesian Muslim leaders- Nikmatullah from Lombok, Helma Malini from West Kalimantan, Fauza Masyhudi from Padang and Rita Pranawati from Jakarta-departed for Australia on Sunday on a bilateral exchange program aimed at strengthening understanding and links among young leaders of both countries.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer said he hoped the visit would contribute to a better understanding in Indonesia about multiculturalism in Australian society and the role of Islam in Australia.

“Islam in Australia is a dynamic, evolving story with a rich history, and one of which our country can be extremely proud,” the Ambassador said.

“Australia’s 400,000 Muslims, made up of over 70 different ethnic backgrounds – including Indonesia - have made an enormous contribution to the success of contemporary, diverse Australia.”

The program aims to provide opportunities for emerging leaders in the Indonesian Muslim community to engage their counterparts in Australia on a range of important issues affecting people in both countries. Participants will also have the opportunity to tour the “You Am I” exhibition by Australian Muslim artists in Melbourne sponsored by the Islamic Council of Victoria and Victoria’s Hume City Council.

This is the first of three delegations from Indonesia scheduled to visit Australia under the Australia-Indonesia Institute (AII) Muslim Exchange Program between March-June 2010.

In May, five young Muslim leaders from Australia will make a reciprocal visit to Indonesia to learn firsthand about Indonesia’s diverse, democratic and tolerant society and to meet community, education and religious leaders, academics, government officials and media representatives.

This Muslim Exchange Program was established by the Australian Government through the Australia-Indonesia Institute in 2002.

Over the past two decades, the Institute has fulfilled a unique and vital role in fostering friendship and understanding between Australia and Indonesia through projects in the arts, music, education, youth, civil society, interfaith, media and sport.

Australian Embassy Indonesia

 
THE role of Muslim women in Australian society has always been a positive one but should not be compartmentalised by stereotypes, a UWA professor said in a speech in Bull Creek last week.

About 100 women attended the speech at Bull Creek Community Centre – hosted by the WA Executive of the Penguin Club – to celebrate International Women’s Day.

UWA Centre for Muslim States and Societies director Professor Samina Yasmeen told the audience that Muslim women had been involved in Australian society for more than 100 years.

“When we talk about Muslim women in Australia we have to start with the fact that Muslim women are not new to this country,” she said.

Prof Yasmeen said research the centre had conducted showed Australian Muslim women placed a very strong emphasis on the mother role. But after the 9/11 World Trade Center destruction, their role had also become that of “‘bridge builders” in Australian society.

“After 9/11, a lot of these women realised that they needed to come out and play an active role in the community,” Prof Yasmeen said.

However, she said the onus was also on the wider community to shift its perception of what it meant to be a Muslim woman and what it meant to integrate into society. “Not all Muslim women wear a hijab,” she said.

“I think what we need to accept is that we also need to shift our understanding on what it means to be integrated or part of the community.

“I think if we do this we can actually start thinking about living with each other.”

Melville Times

 
A holy man was having a conversation with God one day and said, 'God, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.'

God led the holy man to two doors.

He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table.

In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.

The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly.

They appeared to be famished.

They were holding spoons with very long handles, that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful.

But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.

The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.

God said, 'You have seen Hell.'

They went to the next room and opened the door.

It was exactly the same as the first one.

There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water.

The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.

The holy man said, 'I don't understand.'

'It is simple,' said God. 'It requires but one skill. You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.'

 
Several CCN readers responded to the letter sent in by a UQ international student enquiring about halal food services at the university:

1. We provide Muslim students with Halal food with a variety of dishes from Middle East, Turkish and Indian cuisine. Our contact number is: 0422144990. Yamin Khan

2. Several years ago when I was still at UQ, Cromwell College had a halal menu. Ismail Muhammad might be able to help further (President of MSAUQ) i_m_006@hotmail.com. There might be some halal restaurants around St Lucia, like Nando's and the shops near Coles. Riyad

3. Regarding the availability of Halal food at UQ, please inform Brother Ahmed that Halal food will be sold at the UQ Musallah (323 Hawken Drive) on weekdays after Zuhr salaah. Also, kindly ask him to contact the MSAUQ President, Ismail Mohamed, at ismail_ridge_view@yahoo.com for more information about Halaal food on campus. Muhammad.

4. Let me have the details of Ahmed so that I can make contact and see if I can help. Ayoob Nandos Festival Towers
0422 872 111.

Access Services and the Kuraby ALP will host a fund raising dinner on Sunday 21 March as part of the States' Harmony Day celebrations.

The theme of the event will centre around the economic benefits of multiculturalism. You can find out more details about booking for the event by clicking on the flyer on the left.

A part of the funds raised will go towards rehabilitating and supporting Ms Safia Barzakai (pictured right with one of her paintings). Safia, a client of ACCES, has not been able to speak or hear since birth. Despite these challenges, she

has helped her mother raise her younger twin brothers. She and her family arrived in Australia from Afghanistan some 16 years ago. Safi has a flare for painting -  a talent she hopes she can  exploit along with obtaining productive employment.
 

 
South African anti-apartheid struggle stalwart Fatima Meer died on Friday at St Augustines Hospital in Durban at the age of 82.

Meer suffered a stroke two weeks ago, from which she didn't recover, her brother Farouk Meer said.

The former SABC board member and sociologist, despite crippling banning orders, built up a reputation as a prolific academic and a powerful advocate of gender equality.

Meer survived an assassination attempt by apartheid hitmen in 1977, and attacks in later years which she blamed on the Black Consciousness Movement and the Inkatha Freedom Party.
 

She was the recipient of three honorary doctorates: in Philosophy from Swartmoor College (US) in 1984; in Humane Letters from Bennet College (US) in 1994; and in Social Sciences from her alma mater in 1998.

Her books included the compelling Trial of Andrew Zondo, story of an executed ANC guerrilla, and Higher Than Hope, an uncritical biography of Nelson Mandela.
 

Last year she was among 104 South Africans—including Govan Mbeki, Harry Oppenheimer and Miriam Makeba, honoured with the Order for Meritorious Service by outgoing President Nelson Mandela.

She underwent a triple heart bypass in 1998, and Mandela was one of the first to welcome her home. 

 
Hadith of the day after Fajr Salaat - DAILY

Madrasah for children ages 5 to 16 from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm - MONDAYS TO THURSDAYS

Hifz Classes between Maghrib and Isha - MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS

Adult Qur'an Reading classes between Maghrib and Isha - MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS

Arabic Classes for Adults between Maghrib and Isha - TUESDAYS

Tafseerul Qur'an lectures from 6.30 to 7.30 pm - WEDNESDAYS

Arabic Classes for Adults after Fajr - SUNDAYS

Ten minute educational talk after Isha - DAILY

After Maghrib "Community Night Programme" with meals sometimes - FRIDAY

Revert Classes for men and women 11 am to 12.30 pm - 3 SATURDAYS A MONTH

Going out for Jawla/Da'wa between Maghrib and Isha - SUNDAYS

Sitra Islamic Clothing Shop open six days a week - TUESDAYS TO SUNDAYS

 
The Makkah Clock on the newly built Royal Tower.

 

The President of IWAQ, Fatima Abdel-Karim and IWAQ Director, Galila Abdelsalam were among a number of invitees to parliament house to celebrate International Women’s Day with Queensland Premier Hon. Anna Bligh and Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk
(left to right)  Ms Galila Abdelsalam, Minister Palaszczuk and Ms Fatima Abdel-Karim	(left to right)  Ms Fatima Abdel-Karim, Premier Bligh and Ms Galila Abdelsalam

By Bayaan Weisch 
A meeting and social lunch was held on Sunday March 7 at the Rochedale masjid with approximately 80 people from the Brisbane Islamic community in attendance. The purpose of the gathering was to come together in unity and friendship and exchange ideas and suggestions for the establishment of the Sisters’ House in Brisbane.

Various Islamic groups were represented including: Islamic Womens Asscociation of Qld (IWAQ), Qld Muslim Welfare Association, Al Nisa’ Youth Group, Muslim Business Network, Muslim Charity Welfare Shop, Muslim Womens’ Convert Support Group (MWCSG), Qld. Charity & Welfare Association (TACQWA). (Apologies if any groups were omitted from this list.)

Many positive and constructive outcomes were gained from Sunday’s meeting. Whilst acknowledging the fact that other sections of the Muslim community are in need of assistance, it was a chance for those present to listen to the challenges and needs the revert community face. Solutions to some of those challenges were then identified. It was very positive to see so many people coming together for the betterment of their brothers and sisters in Islam.

There is a recognised need in our community for an accommodation, resource provision and referral service for Muslim women, particularly new female reverts to Islam. TACQWA and MWCSG have been working together since December to make the Sisters’ House project a reality. It is envisaged that this will be a supervised residential house for Muslim revert women who need short term intensive help with finding somewhere to live and adapting to challenges and changes in their lives.

When someone embraces Islam and becomes a Muslim, friends and family may not support the new Muslim’s choice and they are at risk of homelessness, and if the Muslim community does not actively step in to fill that that void, it remains empty. This in turn, increases the risk of the new Muslim sister becoming discouraged and lonely and in some cases, leaving Islam all together. This is the time when new Muslims are most vulnerable and it is our duty as a community to help them. Once a stable place to live has been established, there are usually positive outcomes to a re-establishment of family communication.

The women present at Sunday’s meeting chose to organise a regular social get together from all cultural groups within the Brisbane Muslim Community. The first such get together will be announced shortly inshaAllah.

Other achievements from the meeting included-
 

. Many copies of ‘Basics Essentials for Muslims’ were distributed
. Kind donation of many ‘Muslim Woman’ magazines donated to MWCSG
. Mailing list established to keep people up to date of any events.

 .Adopt a revert’ support programme
. Host family names put forward for short term help

A delicious lunch was provided after dthuhur salat, during which everyone took the opportunity to have a good chat and get to know one another. Jazakom Allahu khairan to the organisers of this event and to all those who attended.
 

Adapted from Australian Journey - Muslim communities

The Australian Journey – Muslim communities, a DIAC publication, is characterised by contributions of Muslims from all over the world who have made Australia home.

In this, and following issues of CCN, we highlight one of the successful Muslims in Australia from the report and their thoughts about what it means to be both a Muslim and an Australian.

Fatima Kourouche  Sport

As a young woman Fatima Kourouche played with the NSW State Hockey team. She has worked with the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation, Surf and Royal Life Saving, the Lakemba Sports Club and now works for the Australian Sports Commission encouraging women from diverse backgrounds to participate in sport. . Sport is an integral part of the Australian culture and my love for sport began the minute I landed in Australia as an 11 year old migrating from Lebanon. I have been fortunate to work with some amazing, dedicated people who enabled me to open many doors for thousands of Australian Muslims and non-Muslims to participate in sport together to enjoy a more active, healthier way of life without having to compromise on religious or cultural values.   Fatima Kourouche